Thinking Big
The common threads woven throughout our journey have been wholehearted faith and a vision that is larger than any leader, staff, building or bank account we’ve had. While those limitations could have been roadblocks, they forced us to realize our biggest resource: the people in our church. New goals weren’t out of reach when we embraced and empowered the people and financial resources that were there the whole time.
God continues to bring his resources to his vision, as long as it’s a big vision. If we can accomplish it in our own strength, it’s not big enough.
Even as we celebrate 100 million installs of the Bible App, that’s nowhere close to where we want to be. As we set our sights on becoming the most Bible-engaged generation in history, the next milestone we’re targeting is reaching 1 billion installs.
It’s daunting to think about the resources that might take. Facebook just passed its 1 billion mark with a team that’s 200 times the size of ours. And Facebook’s budget? Well, it’s more than a little bigger than ours.
What makes us think we can reach 1 billion? We have no ability to accomplish that with our current resources, so how can we possibly get there?
We’re not going to figure it out in a five-year strategy session. It won’t be through our technical skills or marketing savvy. And it won’t be the result of someone writing a huge check.
Honestly, I have no idea what it will take. But I do know how it will happen. We’ll get to 1 billion the same way we got to 100 million: through God bringing together a massive coalition of people, partners and resources to make it happen.
What does big vision look like for your church right now? What is something only God could bring together? What would it mean to act in faith that he will?
I believe God gives us the specific people who make up our churches for a reason. They all have unique talents, relationships and resources that can be unleashed to change your community.
What would happen if the global church fully empowered the collective abilities of believers around the world? Let’s think big. We’re only scratching the surface. Let’s have faith that God will continue to do more than any of us could ask, think or imagine.